Donald left school and went to ‘burger it all’, where he met Charlotte speaking with a lad.
Anger burned inside of him when he saw her smile at the guy. He walked to where they were and coughed.
Charlotte stared at him awkwardly. “Why would he be here?” She thought.
“Hi, I’m Donald and you are?” Donald inquired, taking the boy’s hand.
“Dave” The boy, who was Charlotte’s classmate answered.
“Wow, she has a crush on this ugly looking guy” Donald thought.
“Since you’re busy, I’ll leave you both” Donald said leaving angrily.
“What was he thinking by trying to help her?” Donald fumed within.
“Was he angry?. He did look angry” Charlotte thought as she ran after Donald.
“Donald wait up … wait!” She yelled as he walked faster.
“What the fuck is wrong?. Is anything wrong with Ariana?” Charlotte asked, blocking him from entering the car.
“Pardon me for interrupting. I’m sorry for being a burden” Donald said.
“No, you’re not” Charlotte retorted.
“Who is that guy?. Wasn’t he the Dave you have a crush on?” Donald asked with strange anger.
“No, he’s just my classmate” Charlotte answered and Donald sighed with relief.
“Oh, that’s great. You’ve won a scholarship into Sawyer college” Donald said excitedly.
“No, I can’t transfer” Charlotte said and his eyes dropped.
“No, you have to, Ariana is sad and lonely, so with you by her side, it’ll be a blessing” Donald explained and she refused.
“Think about it. You’d never pay your school fees again or suffer like before, Ariana is trying to help you. She feels guilty when she remembers you don’t stay home” Donald lied holding her face.
“Oh okay” Charlotte said feeling the heat as his palms caressed her cheeks.
She removed his hand and he buried them in his pockets. “I’ll come to pick you up at 9 am, this place” Donald said as he entered his car.
Donald drove home and Candy and Shantel fuming.
“What’s gotten into Austin?. He’s acting strange” Candy said and Shantel sighed.
“I think something is going on between them” Shantel said.
“No, I won’t let that bitch get close to my Austin, he is mine and mine alone” Candy said with a determined look.
“Candy don’t do anything outrageous, Austin won’t spare you” Donald said interrupting them and they left.
AUSTIN
The school was over and I went to Ariana’s class but she had left, so I went home.
I found her in the kitchen, making lunch. I sighed with annoyance.
“Why didn’t you wait for me at school?” I asked.
“Wel.. Welcome sir … I … I” She stuttered.
“Next time, come wait for me at the parking lot okay?” I asked and she nodded.
“Sir, I want my dad to be buried tomorrow” Ariana said and I nodded.
I went to my room and started making arrangements. I called Donald, informed him and asked him to bring Charlotte and he consented.
Her father’s burial would be quiet just the four of us and the gravediggers.
I went downstairs and saw the dining set. She went to the kitchen and after a few minutes, she didn’t return.
“Ariana!” I called out and she walked out.
“Sir?” She said standing at my side with her head bowed.
“Bring your food to the dining, as from today onwards, you should eat in the dining with me always” I declared and she nodded.
THE NEXT DAY
Ariana was seen crying, with Charlotte at her side, comforting her as her dad was placed in a casket.
The casket was placed in an ambulance and Austin took her in his car to the cemetery, with Donald and Charlotte behind them.
Ariana wept as her dad’s casket was lowered to the ground.
“Dad, mom never asked you to leave me alone in this world” Ariana said crying and Austin wrapped his hand around her.
“Shh. You still have us with you” Austin comforted her, using his hand to pat her back as she continued crying.
Charlotte tried not to let tears fall but she couldn’t and she burst into tears when she threw the rose inside his grave.
Donald held her hand. She had been putting on a black gown that he had given her when he came to pick her up.
She sobbed as she remembered the few times she’s seen Ariana’s dad.
Ariana sobbed as she dropped a family portrait on his casket. Austin gave her his handkerchief and she couldn’t clean the tears.
He didn’t like seeing her that way. It crushed Austin’s heart whenever she was sad and he couldn’t do anything.
They left the cemetery and went to school. Ariana’s face was red and puffy but she wasn’t crying anymore.
She was surprised when she saw Charlotte and Donald at school.
“Go stay in the garden, it’s quiet” Austin said and she nodded and left after throwing a questioning glance at Charlotte.
Donald, Charlotte and Austin went to the principal’s office and all the process was taken care of.
Bradley was stunned at first, but he shrugged it off. Donald took Charlotte to the garden and went to meet Austin at his office.
“You’re full of surprises” Charlotte said as Ariana looked at her with surprise.
“What do you mean?. And you’re still here, why?” Ariana questioned as she looked at her friend.
“Stop playing dumb, I know it’s you already” Charlotte answered, sitting beside the confused Ariana.
“I’m being serious. I don’t know what you’re talking about” Ariana said and Charlotte gasped.
“Donald offered me a scholarship, saying you felt guilty and lonely” Charlotte said and Ariana smiled.
“It’s for the best anyway. I do feel lonely. He likes you and I know you like him too” Ariana said with a broad smile and Charlotte shook her head negatively.
“No, of course not. He’s doing it because I’m your bestie” Charlotte said
“Now you would attend Sawyer College, that’s so cool” Ariana replied, hugging Charlotte.
“Is school fun?. Do you have other friends?” Charlotte asked eagerly and Ariana disagreed sadly.
“When you come to school, avoid everyone and don’t talk about your life because you’d be ridiculed” Ariana warned and Charlotte nodded.
Donald came to call the ladies and Charlotte ignored him, looking at him with anger.
They followed him to the park and Charlotte went with Austin, making Donald stunned.
Charlotte was taken to the restaurant. Ariana asked where she lived but she only smiled and left.
Austin took Ariana home and went upstairs to sleep.
Ariana went to the kitchen and made spaghetti and meatballs.
“Sir I made lunch” Ariana said after she knocked on Austin’s door.
“Coming already” She heard him say and she went downstairs.
Austin walked downstairs and found Ariana sitting at the chair opposite his.
He opened the food and saw spaghetti and meatballs. “How do you know my favourite food?” Austin asked and Ariana stared at him, confused.
“I don’t know, I just made what came to my head” Ariana said and Austin nodded.
IN THE MORNING
Ariana woke up early and found a middle-aged woman cleaning the house.
“Good morning ma’am” Ariana said and the woman smiled at her.
“Morning child, I never knew Austin had a guest”. The woman said.
“Huh… no ma’am, I work here” Ariana said and she looked surprised.
“Call me lily, I work here also but I was on vacation, that’s why you haven’t met me” Lily replied and Ariana nodded.
“I’m Ariana, I’m the maid” Ariana said and lily looked at her with shock.
“Wow!. Jayden never said a thing about you. I’m the housekeeper, though I don’t cook” Lily replied and smiled as Austin descended the stairs.
“Good morning lily” Austin greeted as he stood where they were.
“Morning son. You never told me about having a beautiful maid” Lily said and Ariana blushed while Austin smiled.
“Sorry lily, it skipped my mind” Austin apologised and Lilly hit him playfully.
“Good morning sir” Ariana said and Austin nodded.
“Go get dressed for school, we’ll leave in 40 minutes” Austin said and Ariana went upstairs.
They left and Ariana alighted with lots of people staring at her.
She was excited to see Charlotte standing outside. “Hey bestie” Charlotte said as she hugged me.
“You came with your boss!. something is going on between both of you” Charlotte said as we walked to class.
Charlotte admired the large and beautiful paintings as we passed the hall.
We got to class and everyone began murmuring as they saw us.
“She brought a fellow slut, wonder how she got admitted” One girl said and Charlotte gasped.
“Ignore them, they’ll never stop blabbering” I said and I directed her to the vacant chair behind me.
Teachers came in, few gazing at Charlotte while others ignored her and soon it was break time.
“Wow, look at the skimpy dresses girls wear” Charlotte said staring at the girls who trooped out.
“Let’s go have breakfast. Did Donald give you your pass card?” I asked and she nodded.
They collected their food and went to seat at an isolated table.
“Oh my goodness! Brooklyn’s here”. A girl screamed and a few started reapplying makeup on their faces.
“Your boss is popular and also has a different name, look how crazy girls are going for him” Charlotte said and I sighed.
“That’s not my boss” I said and she looked at me with surprise.
Brooklyn came to our table and I cursed inwardly.
“Hello Ariana, hello I’m Brooklyn” Brooklyn said to Charlotte who frowned.
“Why have you been ignoring me?” He asked and Charlotte dragged me out of the cafe, leaving Brooklyn confused.
“Wait, why haven’t I seen his twin?” She asked with confusion.
“They don’t get along, that’s why” Ariana replied and Charlotte nodded.
“I just don’t like his aura, he seems like a two-faced person” Charlotte said and Ariana laughed.
“Wow, you’re unbelievable, that guy is so nice, he’s helped me countless times in school” Ariana said and Charlotte frowned.
“Then why ignore him?” Charlotte asked with a triumphant look.
“Because of the stares, on the group chat, all they do is gossip and I’m tired of being the centre of their discussion” Ariana replied.
“Wow! You have a phone and you couldn’t inform me” Charlotte whined and Ariana pouted.
“Hello, I’m Dray” A guy said interrupting them.
“Hi, I’m Charlotte and she’s Ariana” Charlotte answered and Ariana frowned.
“I’m in grade seven, my seat is next to yours” Dray said and Ariana scoffed.
“I want us to be friends” Dray said and Charlotte nodded then he left.
“What’s wrong, you don’t seem happy” Charlotte asked as they walked to class.
“I have a bad feeling about that Dray” Ariana retorted and Charlotte gawked.
“Hello, Dave” Ariana said as she sat down and Charlotte went to her seat.
“Hello, who’s this?” Dave asked pointing at Charlotte.
“She’s my best friend, Charlotte” Ariana replied and he smiled.
“I’m Dave, tell me if you need assistance with anything here” Dave said and both girls smiled at him.
Everyone was back from the cafe and they stared at Charlotte with vicious eyes.
“Did I do anything wrong?. Why the stares?” Charlotte whispered and Ariana smiled.
“That’s what I go through here” Ariana whispered back and she nodded.
Ariana brought out her phone and checked the WhatsApp group and found awful things written about Charlotte.
“Birds of the same feathers flock together. Slut” Someone wrote and Ariana showed Charlotte who gasped.
“Let’s forget about them and play a game” Ariana said and they were about to play a game when someone ran inside.
“Guys prom is in three weeks!!” The person shouted and everywhere became disorganized.
“What would I wear?. Who would be my date?” Were murmur that came from girls.
“Wonder who Austin’s gonna bring” A girl said.
“Don’t be too sure. He didn’t attend last years remember?” Her friend answered and her mood dropped.
“Wish I could fuck him” A girl confessed with longing eyes and Charlotte gasped.
“Shh… That’s how they are. Girls are head over heels for guys. They have no shame” Ariana cautioned and Charlotte giggled.
“So who’s gonna be your prom date?” Charlotte asked and Ariana scoffed.
“Oh please, such parties aren’t for commoners, I’d end up half dead if I attend” Ariana announced and Charlotte chuckled.
“Give me a break. Are you scared of them?” Charlotte inquired.
“Believe me, you’d be scared if eggs and tomatoes were thrown at you and your first phone was stepped on” Ariana let out and Charlotte was confused.
“Take a look at my arm” Ariana said raising her sleeve.
“Geez, what happened to you?” Charlotte requested, covering her mouth.
“Long story, I was beaten and they broke my first phone” Ariana concluded and Charlotte looked at her with horror.
“Wait so your boss got you another phone!? No way!” Charlotte asked with shock.
“Yea! He did” Ariana answered.
“Wow. He’s taking care of you so much, wish I had a rich handsome guy like him” Charlotte said and Ariana gawked.
“Please!! You have Donald already” Ariana whispered as she fluttered her eyelashes.
Donald walked in and a few girls threw seductive glances at him.
“Hey, Donald” A few girls drawled and he nodded, using his eyes to search for Ariana’s seat.
He walked to Ariana’s seat, with a wrapped box in his hands which was behind him and everyone was astonished.
“Hey” He said looking at Charlotte. Ariana who knew he came for Charlotte pretended to be on a call and he went to Charlotte’s desk.
“After school, wait for me at the parking lot, we wanna attend a housewarming party” He said and Charlotte felt like collapsing as everyone stared at her.
“Oh.. okay” She muttered and he nodded, looking at her face as she avoided his gaze.
He put the box on her table and everyone gasped making Ariana turn to look at them.
“Here’s a gift. Don’t know why but I just have the urge to give a pretty girl a gift” He said and left leaving everyone apart from Ariana stunned.
Everyone stared at Charlotte and few began to murmur if something was between them.
Charlotte wished the ground could open up and swallow her as everyone’s gaze was on her.
Ariana checked her phone and frowned at the things they had typed about Charlotte already.
It had gone viral already that Donald knew the new commoner who was Ariana’s friend and they didn’t hold back as lots of girls threw insults at her and Ariana.